Chain-link-forming machine.



C. L. HOFF & M. 0. REHFUSS.

CHAIN LINK PORMING MAGHUNE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 25, 1911.

Patented Mar. 18, 191- 6 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

wil/www0 JWM@ C. L. HGPF & M. 0. RLHFUSS. CHAIN LINK PORMING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 25, 1811.

1,056,175. Patented Mar.18,1913.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 2..

C. L. HOFF a M. O. REHFUSS.

CHAIN LINK FORMING MACHINE.

. APPLICATION FILED JULY25,1911. i 1,056,175. Patented Mar.18,1913.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Maz/" Q C. L. HOFF E o. REHPUSS.

CHAIN LINK FORMING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUL'Y25, 1911,

1,056,175. Patented Mar. 18, 1913.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

G. L. HOFF & M. 0. BEHPUSS.

CHAIN LINK FORMING MACHINE.

4 APPLICATION FILED JULY'25,1911. 1,056,175.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

Patented Mar. 18, 1913.

C. L. HOFF E M. o. RBHPUSS. CHAIN LINK FORMING MACHINE. APPLICATIONFILED JULY.r 25, 1911.

1,056,175. Patented Mar.18,1913. d

6 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

3513 .galt/LM MAA/ complete chain.

CARLTON I.. Horn, or YORK, AND

MARTIN O. REHFUSS, PENNSYLVANIA.

or nrLADELTnIA,

GHAIN-LINK-FORMING- MACHINE.

inserts.

Speccaton of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 18, 1913.

.Application filed July 25, 1911. Serial No. 640,402.

T0 all whom. #may concern:

Be it known that we, CARLTON L. HOFF and MARTIN O. Rnnrnss, citizens ofthe United States, residing, respectively, at York and Philadelphia, ,inthe counties of York and Philadelphia, State ot Pennsylvania, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Chain-Link-FormingMachines; and we do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear,and eXactdescription of the same, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, forming part of this speciiication, and to theiigures and letters of reference marked thereon.

This invention relates to machines for forming` chain links as steppreliminary to the uniting and Welding of the links int-o a The objectsof the invention are to provide a Simple and highly eiiicient machineadapted to operate at high speed Iand competent to form links from stockof widely diiilerent gage or c-oss sectional area.

A further object of the invention vis.to provide a machine adapted towind the stock into spiral form, sever the spirals and straighten eachsevered spiral to- :torni an open link adapted to have its ends unitedby` butt welding.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine which willautomatically form accurately diniensioned open links adapted to bewelded in electric chain link welding machines of a simple andinexpensive character. I

With the above objects in View the invention consists in a link formingvmachine embodying a winding mechanism, a severing mechanism and analining mechanism which cooperate in the production of open chain links.

The invent-ion further consists in certain novel details of constructionand combinations and arrangements of parts, all as will be now describedand pointed out particularly in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings-Figure l is a side elevation otl a machineembodying the present improvements. a portion of the frame being brokenaway; Fig. :2 is a front elevation of the same; Fig. 3 is a sectional ielevation in a transverse plane in front of' the cutter and itsoperating cani; Fig. 4t is a detail plan view of the link guides, bottom'straightening die and Winding roller; Fig.

is a View lookingat the under side of the winding mandrel and spiralguide; Fig. 6 is a sectional elevation on an enlarged scale, showing thewinding mandrel, winding roller and link straightening dies; Figs. 7, 8ani 9 are detail views of the one revolution clutch in the drivingconnections of the winding mandrel; Fig. l() is an elevation of the endof the winding mandrel and cutter; Fig. 1l is a view looking at the endor bottoni face of the upper .link straigl'itening die; F ig. l2 is adetail of the cutters for severing' the spiral into links; Fig. 13 is anelevation of the upper cutter as viewed from the right hand side in Fig.l2; Fig. le is a face view of the cam for operating the bottom die; Fig.1'5 is a plan View of the bottom die alone; Figs. 16, l? and i8 arediagrammatic sections showing the action of the dies in alining anddischarging a link.

Similar letters ot' reference in the severa iigures indicate the sameparts.

In its general construction, the machine of the present inventionembodies a winding mandrel upon which the rod or wireu is' wound in theform of a spiral and from which it is gradually discharged as thewinding progresses. The'snccessive coils of from each other by tne stockare severed transverse cuts, and as each is severed it is conducted to apair of dies for spreading the' ends and alining the link readyassembled and welded in a chain. y

The body of the mandiel, indicated by the letter A in the drawings, isjournaled in the main frame B and is adapted to be rotated from gearwheel a through a one revolution clutch. The gear wheel. a derives itsmotion from a heavy pinion a on a shaft with suitable fast and loosepulleys a2, a3 to which a suitable power belt may be'applied.

Projecting from the body A of the mandrel is a nose piece or stem Apreferably of a shape in cross section which substantially conforms tothe opening in the formed links. As shown, it is of oval shape in crosssection, and by the rotation of the mandrel the rod or wire is wound onthe stem in the form of a spiral. The wire or rod stock is fed from a.reel or other supply not shown, through a guide c and between the stem Aand a winding roller C held in contact with the stem by a relativelystrong spring C adjustably supported at n2. The windin for being roller1s tree to rise and fall as the mentire 11G titl p As the mandrelrotates, the ends or the l spirals enter, or receive between them aguide, best seen lin Fig. 5, which s "to gradually torce the spiralstoward end of the stem from Which they f ,imately discharged. The guideis inclined to the axis of the mandrel and is preferably formed by aWear plate D removably mounted on a bar'l removably supported on studsD2 projecting from the head or frame of the machine.

As shown in Figs. 5, l0 and l2, the stem A is cut away on one side nearthe end to form a cutting edge or javv A2, parallel With the anis ot themandrel, and the one revolution clutch interposed between the gear a andmandrel is tor the purpose vof causing the mandrel to come to rest andbe firmly locked with the cutting jaw in proper position for coperationwith a reciprocatory cutter E carried by a plunger E (Figs. 3 and 12)and reciprocated by a cam E2 on a sha'tt F. Shaft F carries atits' rearend a gear "Wheel meshing With a gear Wheel f and the latter in turnmeshes With the gear Wheel a. rhe gear Wheels f and f are timed torotate in unison, Whereas the Wheel a, When in motion travels at asomewhat hi her s eed so as 'to allow for the necessary dwell of themandrel during the cutting operation. As a convenient arrangement theproportions may be tor the gear Wheels f and f to have forty-eight teethand the gear Wheel a thirty-siz teeth, with the one revolution clutcharranged to permit a dwell of the idrel equal to one thirdof therevolution o the Wheel a, thereby bringing the cutter on the mandrelinto proper position tor ceperation with the reciprocatory cuttei` onceduring each revolution of the shaft F.

bviously, any known or preferred form clutch which Will lock the mandrelwhen may be employed. The clutch at ut employed is illustrated in detailin Y to; l) of the drawing and embodies a sp pressed pin G mounted toslide longitudinally in the rear end of the mandrel, and at its rearendl vvvhen projected, to engage any one et three pins or projections Hlocated in an annular channel L in the hub of the -1' wheel a. Flaidpins or projections u dually spaced at 120 apart and the du the mandrelequals the space discngage the clutch mandrel.

pin and lock the mandrel, and after the cutters have operated, torelease the pin for again putting the mandrel in motion. The arm I isjournaled on a shaft l normally held retracted or up out of operativeposition by a spring l2. On one side it is provid-ed With an inclinedface e' (dotted lines, Fig. 8) `for retracting the pin G and a stop orlock shoulder t" against which the proj ection on the pin comes to restwhen the pin is retracted to arrest further rotation of the To preventrebound or reverse movement `of the mandrel, a spring-pressed latch 2 ispivoted in the arm I in position to spring in behind the projection G atthe instant when the projection engages the shoulder i'. While the arm Iis normally held elevatedby its spring, it is brought down into positionto engage the projection on the pin, Aby a cam l'rotating in unison withthe shaftl F, and preferably'mounte'd as shown on the shaft or hub ofthe gear wheel f. This cam bears on an antifriction Toller 3 on the arml and is so proportioned that the arm Will be held depressed only untilthe cutting operation is completed and the movable cutter retracts, orduring approximately one third of the revolution of the Wheel f. Themovable clutch pin is thus disengaged from one of the pins orprojections H and is invariably released to engage. the next succeedingpin lll, thereby preserving the proper rotative movement of the mandrelwith relation to the reciprocations of the cutter E.

As each spiral is severed by the cutters it is forced down and ol t-heend of the mandrel stem and to facilitate this, the end of the stem isrounded slightly as at A3 (see Fig. 5), and at the loiverend the spiralpasses outside of the upwardly projecting edge c of a chute K by whichthe severed spiral is conducted down to the alining and end spreadingdies.

i To hold the spirals up to the cutting pointduring the cuttingoperation a spiral supportV E4 is mounted on the cutter plunger,parallel with and projecting beyond the end of the cutter E. Thissupport passes down outside of the spiral remaining on the inaudrelafter the cut and holds the same lirmly up against the mandrel at thetime when the ut is being made, as will be readily understood byreference to Fig. 12. Then the severed spirals drop into the chute Kthey the upper die and in position to link spreading and positioningnose m ofeievation in Fig. 11. The reciprocatory die M is mounted on thelower end of a plunger le', Figs. 1 and 2, guided vertically in the mainframe of the machine and adapted to be operated by a cam M2 mounted onthe shaft F, preferably at a point in front of the cam E2, beforereferred to. The lower die" Lis mounted on a carriage L adapted to slidetransversely in guideways L2 in the main frame and to be periodicallymoved by a link Lg jointed to the lower end of a. rock arm L* on theforward end of the yshaft I, journaled in horizontal position inbearings on the main frame, and at its rear-end and immediately in frontof the arm I, provided with a crank arm L5 having a` roller upon its endadapted to bear on a peripheral cam LG mounted on the shaft or huh ofthe gear wheel f. The conformation of the cam LG is such as to impart tothe carriage and lower die iirst a slight movement toward the right inFigs. 1,4 and 16, whereby the carriage. and die.- will be moved to theposition indicated in Fie. 17, and then arelatively long movement towardthe left, whereby the die and carriage will be moved to the positionindicated in Fig. 1S. To secure these movements, the cam L6 is providedwith a depressed concentric portion ZS (Fig. 14) for giving the slightmovementvtoward the right and a relatively abrupt projecting portion Z7,for giving the long movement toward the left.

The lower die L is provided wit-h a central recess or aperture Z, thewall on one side Z of said aperture being somewhat thicker or higherthan on the` opposite side Z2, as will be readily understood byreference toAFigs. 6 and into position to be operated upon by the diesis caused to position itself in such manner hat the lower free end ofthe spiral will rest on the more elevated side Z of the lower die, andthe other arm of the spiral. which then occupies the position indicatedin dotted `ines at N in Fig. 6, will be depressed or bent down intocontact with the lower wall Z2 by the action of the upper die, thussetting the metal sufficiently to cause the two arms or ends of thespiral to stand opposite each other when the spiral is releasedfrombetween the dies. In order to avoid any likelihood of the link catchingor lodging in the opening Z, the lower die normally, or at the time whenthe link is received on the same, occupies a position slightly out ofline with the line of travel of the link, as indicated, for instance, inFig. 1G of the drawing. Before the upper die descends, however, thelower position indicated in the opening Z directly beneath receive the(1e moves over to the Fig. 17. with said upper die. The transverseconfiguration oi the nose piece mof the upper die, it

15, and the link in traveling downagainst the cam L6 the venlentlv beFor the purpose of positioning the link,`

as it travels down beneath the dies, a springpressed plunger O ismounted on riage L overthe die Land in position to project slightlybeyond a iiXed wall 0, thereby constituting a channel or raceway whichis flared upwardly at its entering end as shown in Fig-6. Onthe oppositeside of4 the opening Z in the die L, there is mounted a spring-pressedplunger or guide P having an undercut at 77 forming the opposite side ofthe raceway into which the link travels between the dies, saidspring-pressed plunger P being conveniently mounted on a stem working ina housing P carried by the main frame, as best seen in Fig. 4. Theproximate faces of the plungers O and Pare rounded, and said plungersare adapted to be forced back against the tension ,of their thecarsprings by the descent ofthe upper die lui,

as will be readily understood from an inspection `of Figs. 16 to 18, butin forcing said plungers outwardly, the nose of the die M enters thespiral', thereby completing its positioning over` the opening ZA'in thelower die, and the ment of the upper to aline the spiral, of the same soas to plunger serves not only but to spread the ends form a link open atone end and ready for being closed and but-twelded in a simple type ofelectric chain link welding machine. After the spiral has been thusalined and its ends spread, the upper die with draws a short distance,due to the action of the portion m2 of the cam M2, or until it occupiesa vertical position sub-' stantially as indicated in Fig. 1S, and whileitdwells for a brief movement in this position, the projection Z7 on thecam L6 is operative to move the carriage L and die L toward the left, asindicated in Fig. 18. As a result the alined spiral or link'will bedis'-A charged by the withdrawal of the support-- ing die and carriagefrom bene-ath it, and it will jlrop down through a discharge spout Qinto any suitableJ receptacle beneath the machine. l For the purpose ofholding the carriage in its normal position, with the arm L5 shaft I mayconprovided with a crank arm 4and link connection R extending downthrough the bed of the main frame. and having on itsI lower end a coilspring'R, which spring is compressed and by its resiliency serves tohold the carriage sition.

Should it be desired to operate the machine in such manner that a linkis severed final downward moveand shaft in proper pofrom the spiral onthe mandrel at a time when another link is being alined and its endsspread, a feeding device may be arranged in thechute K, as shown inFigs.y 2 and 6. This feeding device embodies a hook-like support Sadapted to project through. the bottom of the chute and to arrest a linkor severed spiral in the position indicated in Fig. 6, The support S ismounted on a shaft S extending out to one `side of the chute andprovided with a crank arm S2. extending upwardly into position tocoperate with the lower end of a lever S3 pivoted on the head of themachine at S4, and at its upper end adapted to cooperate with aprojection S5 (Fig. l) on the rear face of the cam M2. The lever is heldpressed in one direction by a spring S, and when struck by the camprojection S5 opcrates to swing the arms S and S2, withdrawing the hookends ot the arm S from below the link and allowing the latter to passdown between the dies. Obviously, the projection or cam S5 may bepositioned to eti'ect the release of the severed spiral or link at themoment when the dies are ready `for its reception, and vtherefore thetiming of the operations of severing and alining and spreading thesevered spirals or links, need not be so accurately determined or set.

For the purpose of relieving pressure on the winding roller, should itbe desired to do so for any purpose, such, tor instance, as when the endof a new length of stock is to be inserted, the lower end of the rollersupporting standard, which passes Idown through the spring andadjustable support, may be provided with a head or collar T with which alever T coperates, said lever being vconnected with a threaded rod T2having a hand wheel T3 thereon adapted to bear up against the bed of theiframe so as to force t-he lever T downwardly and thereby withdraw thewinding roller from the mandrel, as aforesaid.

Having thus described our inventiomwhat we claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

l. In a link forming machine, the combination with a rotary windingmandrel having-a cutting jaw thereon and a eoperating recijriroeatoryputter, oi a drive gearing for the i'eciprocatory cutter and mandrelembodying a one revolution clutch in the mandrel connections whereby themandrel is held in fixed position during the operation ot the cuttingjaws.

2. In a lilik forming machine, the combination with a rotary windingmandrel having a cutting jaw in proximity to itsl tree end and areciprocatory cutter for coperating therewith, of a driving mechanismtor the reciprocatory cutter and mandrel embodying means forperiodically arresting the movement of, and locking the mandrel notairewith the cutting jaw in position to coperate with the reciprocatorycutter.

3. ln a link forming machine, the combination with a rotary windingmandrel having a cutting jaw in proximity to its free end and areciprocatory cutter for coperating therewith, of driving mechanismintermediate the mandreland cutter whereby the mandrel is rotated andthe cutter reciprocated in equal time and embodying means whereby themandrel is moved intermittently, and means for holding the mandrel infixed position during the cutting .operation.

4. Tn a link forming machine, a rotary winding mandrel having a cuttingjaw 'formed thereon in proximity to its tree end, and means for guidinga rod to said mandrel to form a spiral embodying a winding rollermovable independently of the mandrel, of a coperating cutter forsevering the spiral into links and discharging the same from themandrel.

5. In a link forming machine, a rotary winding mandrelV of oval shape incross section and having a cutting jaw on one edge in proximity to thetree end, and a guide inclined to the axis of the mandrel consisting ofa wear plate removably mounted on the frame for advancing the spiraltoward the end of theA mandrel, of a cutter coperating with the cuttingjaw on the mandrel :tor severing the spiral into links.

6. In a link forming machine the combination with a winding mandrel ofoval shape in cross section and having a cutting-jaw' at one edge inproximity to the free end, of a guide comprising a wear plate removablymounted on the frame inclined to the axis of the mandrel `fordischarging theformed spiral, a reciprocatory cutter coperating with thecutting jaw on the mandrel to sever the spiral into links, and means forholding the mandrel stationary during the cutting operation.

7. l'n a link forming machine, the combination with a winding mandreland a springpressed roller coperating therewith to t'orm a spiral, of aguide inclined to the axis of the mandrel for discharging the'iormedspiral therefrom, and intermittently acting cutting jaws for severingthe spiral into links, one jaw vertically reciprocating the otherintegral with the winding mandrel, with means whereby said. cutting jawsare operated once in cach rotation of the inandrel.

8. lira link forming machine, the combi-v nation with a winding mandreland means for severing the successive convolntions of the spiral formedon said mandrel, of.

same plane, aline the severed sections and form the open links.

9. In a. link forming machine t-he combination with a winding mandrelhaving a cutting edge thereon and a reciprocatory cutting jaw forsevering the spiral formed 0n the mandrel into sections of a die forbringing the sides of the link into the same plane and a die forspreading the link at one end, and means for trimsferring the severedlink from the mandrel into opera tive position with respect to saiddies.

l0. In a link forming machine the combination with a winding mandrel,means for intermittently operating said mandrel and interniittentlyoperated cutting jaws for severing the spiral into sections, one of saidjaws integral with the mandrel, the other rcciproeatory vertically, ofintermittently operating' dies for bending the sides of the links intosubstantially' the same plane and means for delivering the link sectionsfrom the mandrel into operative position with respect to said dies andmeans for discharging the llattened links treni said dies.

ll. In a linl; forming machine, the combination with a spiral windingand severing mechanism, of alining dies to which the severed sections ofthe spiral are delivered, embodying a bottom die having an elevated anda depressed face for supporting opposite arms of the section of thespiral.

12. In a link forming machine, the combination with a spiral winding andsevering mechanism, of aliniiig dies to which the severed sections ofthe spiral are delivered, embodying a bottom die having an elevated anda depressed link engaging surface for supporting opposite arms of thelink, an upper die for cooperating therewith, and means forreciprocating said dies in planes substantially at right angles to eachother.

13. In a link forming machine, the combination with a spiral winding andsevering mechanism, of link alining dies movable in planes substantiallyat right angles to each other, and a chute for conducting the severedsections of the spiral to said dies.

14. In a link forming' machine, the combination with a spiral windingand severing mechanism, a chiite to which the severed sections of thespiral are delivered, a die to which said sections are delivered by thechute, said die embodying a link forming surface, spring-pressedplungers, and a cooperating' reciprocatory die movable be tween saidplnngers into engagement with the link.

15. In a link forming machine, the combination with a spiral winding andsevering mechanism and a chute to which the severed sections of thespiral are delivered, of a die to which the severed sections aredelivered by the chute, means for moving said die transversely, avertically reeiprocatory die for cooperating With said first mentioneddie, and means whereby said first mentioned die is moved transverselywhile the link is in engagement with the vertically movable die fordischargingr the link.

IG. In a link forming machine, the combination with va spiral windingand severing mechanism, of alining and end spreading mechanism to whichthe severed sections of the spiral are delivered, embodying a bottom diehaving elevated and depressed link end engaging surfaces, an upper diehaving elevated and depressed link engaging surfaces, means forreciprocating the upper die vertically, and means for reciprocating thebottom die transversely to position and discharge the link.l

17. In a link forming machine, the combinar, tion with spiral windingand severing mechanism, oflink alinin g mechanism to which the severedsections of the spiral are delivered, embodying a bottom die,spring-pressed plunger-s overlying said bottom die to form a raceway forthe link, and a reciprocatory upper die having converging walls forcooperation with said plungers to move the.

same outwardly during the straightening of the link.

18. In a link 'forming machine, the com bination with a rotary mandrel,a winding roller and guide coperating therewith to form a spiral, and aspiral severing jaw ou the mandrel, of a reciprocatory cuttercooperating with the jaw on the mandrel, a shaft and cam forreciprocating said cutter and a -driving gearing for said mandrel andshaft embodying gear wheels and a one revolution clutch interposedbetween said gear wheels and mandrel whereby the mandrel may be arrestedin its movement during a portion of the rotation of the shaft.

19. In a link forming machine, the combination with the rotary mandrel,winding roller and guide cooperating therewith to form a spiral thereon,and cutting jaw on said mandrel, of a reciprocatory cutter c0-oiierating willi the cutting jaw on the mandrcl to sever the spiral intosections, a shaft and cani for reciprocating said cutter,inter ineshcdgear wheels intermediate the mandrel and cutter shaft for imparting tothe mandrel a relatively higher speed than the shaft, and meansinterposed between the mandrel and gear wheels wherebyV the move-` mentof the mandrel may be arrested during a portion of each rotation of theshaft, and said shaft and mandrel will rotate'in the same time.

20. In a link forming machine, the combination with a winding mandrelhaving a cutting jaw thereon and a reciprocatory cutter coiip'eratingwith said cutting jaw,

a driving gearing for the reciprocatory cut` ter and mandrel, a lock forholding the mandrel in aed position during the cutting operation, and acam movable in unison With the drive gear for the reciproeatory cutter:tor cont-rolling said lock, whereby the mandrel will invariably be heldin fixed position during the operation of the cutter.

21. In a link forming machine,` the combination with a Winding mandrel,cutter for severing the spiral 'Wound on the mandrel into sections, andalining dies for forming the severed sections of the spiral into links,of a chute for conducting the severed sections from t-he mandrel to thedie, a feeding mechanism interposed in said chute for supporting the`severed sections, While the dies are in operation, and means controlledby the die actuating mechanism for operating said feeding mechanism torelease the severed sections when the dies are open.

22. In a link forming machine, the combination with a Winding mandrelhaving a cutting jaw thereon in proximity to its free end, of areciprocatory cut-ter for coperatmaar/e ing With the jaw on the mandreland a sup port movable in unison with said reeiproeatery cutter forsupporting the end of the spiral during the cutting operation.

23. ln a link forming machine, the combination with a Winding mandrelhaving a cutting jaw thereon in proximity to its free end, a Windingroller cooperating with the mandrel to form a spiral thereon, and aninclined guide with which the spiral cooperates and whereby it isdischarged from the mandrel, of a coperating cutter mow able toward andfrom the mandrel to sever the spiral into sections, and a supportInovable With said cutter and spaced therefrom for the admission of asection of the spiral between the cutter and support during the cuttingoperation.

CARLTUN L. HFF. MAR-TIN O. REHFUSS. Witnesses:

HARRY M. MCBURNEY, JAS. ZIEGLER.

